Grandma's Home Remedies » Pest Control

If you believe ants only ruin picnics, think again – these small pests are everywhere. They can infiltrate your pantry, gather around the kitchen sink, or call a corner of your room their very own. When you see one, there is always another not too far behind. Use home remedies for killing ants to make [...]

Whenever you take a dip in the open waters of the ocean or sea, you run the risk of coming in contact with some of the marine life. Not all creatures of the deep will scatter at the presence of humans, which translates into the potential for suffering a bite and sting. Once you have [...]

Once you step outside, a wide-open world of insects and bugs await. If you’re one of the unlucky victims of a sting or bite, chances are you’re in for a wave of itchiness that lasts throughout the day and can keep you up all night. To combat one of the most annoying effects of bugs, [...]

Upon stepping outside the comfort of home, you become the prime target of many different insects and other pests that want to make life miserable for you. Feeding on a range of hosts, chiggers accidentally choose humans for their meal. When they do, home remedies for chigger bites can help ease the symptoms that follow. [...]

Setting up shop in warehouses, homes, museums, and other places where food exists, carpet beetles are part of the family of beetles known as dermestids. For example, the state of California deals with three species of carpet beetles that wreak havoc on fabrics, carpets, furs, stored foods, and preserved specimens. In households, home remedies for [...]

The sight of a centipede is enough to send many people running in the opposite direction. These pests with their many legs are intimidating and to make matters worse – quite fast when they want to be. To rid your home of this scurrying creature, consider home remedies for centipedes as your first line of [...]

Raccoons are a prime example of a woodland creature that has impressively learned how to survive in urban and suburban environments. Known for their “bandit-like” markings, the animal has become a pest in many cities as they search for food in populated areas. Since the critter will eat nearly anything that is chewable and can [...]

It’s every parent’s fear that his or her child will go to school and come home with an unwanted guest. One of the most dreaded elementary school horrors is getting head lice. Before head lice become a reality, it is a nit – an egg that attaches to the hair and later hatches. If you’re [...]

Ticks are one of the leading carriers of disease to humans in the United States. Armed with a piercing bite, it is the secretions, toxins, and other organisms found in the tick’s saliva that transmits the diseases that make us sick. Luckily, there are ways to prevent and remove the pests with home remedies for [...]

Many people are under the assumption that a tick is an insect when it is in fact related to spiders, scorpions and mites. With eight jointed legs, ticks belong to a class of arachnids. The pests typically dwell in tall grass, forests, and overgrown brush – a real threat for pets and humans, especially campers [...]

In the United States, an outbreak of body lice is a rare occurrence, but the threat is still a reality. The aftermath of a natural disaster to overcrowded conditions in a homeless shelter can become a target for the spread of the tiny insects that quickly transmit from person to person and their belongings. Home [...]

When you think of rats, New York City is one of the main destinations that usually come to mind. There is the notion that rats are invading the sewer and subway system when the reality of it all is that the majority of rats live in burrows at ground or basement level. Rats seek out [...]

If you leave flour, cereal and other pantry items unsealed, you run the risk of an unwanted pest finding its way into your food. Weevils mostly attack grains and seeds, but can even appear in your pancake mix. To make sure you don’t have any surprises the next time you open your pantry, consider using [...]

Every year, termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damage. Since wood is their primary diet, these common pests are known to destroy books, papers, living trees, shrubbery, insulation, and even the liners of swimming pools. The destruction associated with a termite infestation is so great, a special inspection/infestation report is conducted when buying [...]

The creature driving Bill Murray crazy in the movie ‘Candyshack’ was a rodent known for digging tunnels in the soil. In search for food and shelter, the gopher has earned a reputation for ruining commercial agriculture plans, destroying garden plots, and disrupting landscaping. Because of this, people seek out home remedies for gophers before resorting [...]

It’s amazing that something so small can cause such a ruckus with your health. For example, it’s a tiny insect that is responsible for causing the itchy rashes and sleepless nights associated with scabies. If you are unfortunate enough to have contracted the skin condition, it’s suggested to learn about home remedies for scabies that [...]

When you’re at a family picnic or enjoying a camping trip, insects can really become a nuisance. They bite, sting, and fall into our cups of Kool-Aid. However, you can still take an active stance against bugs when you’re outside. From avoiding bite of mosquitoes to preventing other bug activity, you should become familiar with [...]

Leave the kitchen door ajar or windows wide open, and you could face the irritating buzz of a couple of unwanted friends. Flies are pesky insects that torment you in the middle of the night and land on your food – ruining your appetite at the very least and spreading diseases at the most. Before [...]

Every year, thousands of reports come through to the American Association of Poison Control Centers regarding scorpion stings. While they can deliver quite a painful punch, the majority of scorpion stings are often harmless. Luckily, the U.S. doesn’t have the kinds of creatures that cause serious injury and death like other parts of the world. [...]

Let’s set the record straight – bees, wasps and hornets are not the same. In fact, hornets are much more dangerous than their other insect cousins. Hornets not only have the power to sting multiple times without dying, but can also bite. If you’ve really angered one of the nest members, they can easily send [...]

Besides the itchy red welts caused by mosquito bites, these infamous warm weather pests are known as carriers of the West Nile virus and other diseases. Surviving for more than 30 million years, the insects have learned how to adapt with the changing environment. Unfortunately, warm-blooded creatures are their primary targets. To lessen your chances [...]

Maintaining a healthy crop of vegetables or growing prized roses isn’t always an easy feat to accomplish with all of the gardening threats to overcome. Garden pests destroy leaves, flowers, and new growth by feasting on the vital plant parts and spreading disease. To protect your garden and other outdoor spaces, consider home remedies for [...]

The joy of planting your own flowers, fruits, and vegetables is an activity that millions of people across the United States participate in. The process is one that takes time and requires routine maintenance. However, insects, fungal diseases and weather conditions can threaten the success of a garden. To increase your chances of plentiful growth, [...]

The common household can fall victim to a wide range of unwanted pests – both large and small. Seeking out damp, cool places in homes, silverfish are slippery quick insects that thrive on eating anything organic, from food crumbs to even toenails. When you’re looking for an alternative to using chemical-based pest control, consider much [...]

Throughout the United States and Canada, wild rabbits wreak havoc on gardens and flowerbeds, especially the wild cottontail species. Because they have a greedy appetite for leaves, vegetables, flowers, and even grass, they can turn a beautiful garden into a war zone. In order to protect your new growth, home remedies for wild rabbits can [...]

Unfortunately, the pitter-patter of little feet isn’t necessarily a good thing, when it’s a cockroach that’s invaded your home or apartment. Taking refuge in the nooks and crannies of your kitchen and bathroom, the roach is a common household pest with nearly 4,000 species scurrying across the world. Luckily, home remedies to get rid of [...]

With more than 280 species in the world, fire ants live in remote parts of the world, as well as the backyards of frustrated homeowners throughout the United States, especially in the southeast. These small wonders are aggressive and pack quite a sting. When you want to avoid costly exterminators and harmful pesticides, first consider [...]

Unlucky is the person who disturbs a honeybee making its way to the next flower or comes too close to a hidden beehive. Spring and summer are filled with stinging reminders of bumblebees, honeybees, and carpenter bees. With warmer weather sending these winged creatures into flight, you should limit colorful flower-like pieces of clothing and [...]

Hunting for seashells or dipping your toes in beach water never felt so painful than when coming in contact with a swarm of sand fleas – who enjoy taking swipes at ankles, legs, and feet. During warm weather days, keep an eye out for the pesky pests and if you’re unfortunate enough to have your [...]

Hitching rides on luggage, burrowing in the cracks of furniture, and even infesting the swankiest of hotel mattresses, bed bugs are becoming an increasingly frustrating problem. To the horror of victims, noticeably red lesions can cover an entire back or spread across limbs. Doctors often use antihistamines and corticosteroids as suitable treatments, but don’t rule [...]

When your backyard is riddled with small holes and your potted plants are becoming overgrown with wayward seeds, the critters causing your headaches are far from cute, fuzzy, or cuddly. Collecting and storing food for the winter, chipmunks usually mind their own business and happily co-exist amongst humans. But, for some homeowners, they’re at their [...]

Accidentally disturb a wasp while enjoying the great outdoors and you’ll increase your chances of receiving a sharp reminder why it’s not nice to cross paths with an angry insect. Getting stung is no picnic, especially if you’re allergic. With more than 25,000 species of wasps existing in the world today, it’s in your best [...]

Pesky and annoying, fruit flies have a reputation of appearing at the kitchen table fruit bowl and produce section of the local grocery store – especially during the summertime. Attracted to much more than the sweet smell of fresh peaches and browning bananas, fruit flies show no mercy and will attack food processing plants, warehouses, [...]

It’s amazing that something so small can cause such great discomfort, but chigger bites are a menace, especially to people living in the southern part of the United States. Lurking in berry patches, tall grass, woodland hideaways, and weedy thatches – chiggers lay and wait for your ankles and other body parts to arrive. If [...]

From the honeybee to the bumblebee, you probably didn’t know that there are about 20,000 different kinds of bees in existence. While they may only stay active for two months out of the entire year, they can still become a nuisance during the summer months and when they’ve become trapped in your home. Since bees [...]

Slimy and unattractive, the slug slithers throughout a garden and creates a great deal of issues for vegetable patches and outdoor flower arrangements. However, with a collection of home remedies for slugs hidden up your sleeve, you can drive slugs out of gardens and protect your next crop of tasty edibles or beautiful blooms. What [...]

When you’re experiencing the pitter-patter of little feet and it’s not a walking, talking bundle of joy standing on two legs, you may have a furry intruder in your home that needs attention. Hiding in a kitchen cabinet or tucked away in the corner of a shed, mice find ways to enter the cleanliest of [...]

From the camping trip in the backyard to the family barbeque on the Fourth of July – it never fails – the presence of that pesky, uninvited guest that always seems to find a way to interrupt your summertime fun. Mosquitoes fly about looking for humans and other critters to feed on, as they require [...]

You probably didn’t know that nearly all the spiders you come in contact with are poisonous – a common feature that allows them to hunt their prey. However, the majority of spiders in the United States are harmless – too small to pose a threat to a human. Yet, if you live in a warm [...]

Sure, Pepe LePew was pretty cute on the Warner Brothers cartoons, but you’re rarely amused when you come across this black and white critter in the middle of the night. Skunks are infamous for their defensive spray, which sends a rather distinct scent into the air. When they feel threatened or become alarmed, a skunk [...]

If you’re looking forward to biting into a juicy red tomato this gardening season, you better keep your eye out for tomato blight, which can completely eliminate any hopes of a decent tomato crop. If you allow this common foliar disease to run rampant, your plants may not generate flowers. Gardeners interested in foregoing store-bought [...]

An infestation of ants in any home is enough to cause unrest, especially if you are dealing with the kind that brings severe ruin to the structure of your house. To date, there are several species of carpenter ants known to wreak havoc on cozy residences, commercial buildings, and outdoor construction. Contrary to popular belief, [...]

You’ve probably read or heard about the horror stories associated with the small insects that feed on human blood in the night. They attack when you are sleeping and are quite adaptable in most of the environments catering to humans. This is the life of a bed bug and contrary to popular belief – they [...]

In case you’ve ever wondered who is the most successful creature on Earth when it comes to reproduction, you probably never thought that the flea tops the list. Despite the fact that there are thousands and thousands of species of flea to contend with, a handful of factors help boost the population of fleas in [...]

With between 10,000 to 20,000 different kinds of ants in the world, the type of insect you most likely come in contact with on a hot summer day does not possess a deadly sting or the lethal injection of the tocandira ants of the Amazon. Ants possess an average life expectancy of 45 to 60 [...]

When a cat begins to furiously scratch, their owner should investigate the source of their discomfort at once. If your cat is not suffering a skin infection, the root of the problem is most likely the cat flea, which becomes increasingly possible when your cat likes to roam about the great outdoors. It is this [...]

As soon as your dog begins to lift his or her leg to feverishly scratch behind their ears and about the rest of their body, you can only hope dog fleas are not the reason. Not only does the common canine pest terrorize pooches of all shapes and sizes, but also causes irritating consequences for [...]

Ever seen people, especially children, scratching their head persistently? Well, they certainly put you on guard, for you know the only reason why one would do so is because of that pesky little thing called head louse that makes the scalp its home. If you think this is gross, just see the head louse picture [...]

Whenever pet owners see their companions start to scratch, one of the first things to enter their head is a vision of fleas dancing about the fur or coat. These tiny pests are a common threat to pets and pet owner homes. If you prefer non-chemical methods of control, you may want to consider using [...]